Understanding Migrant Children's Perceptions of Social Inequalities: Possibilities of Fostering Transformative Resistance in Schooling

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: From the Margins to the Center: Critical Encounters With Race Across Disciplines and Communities

Abstract

Migrant children have become a significant component of the expanding migrant population in China, and are facing education inequalities and a high possibility of reproducing their parents' migrant worker status. However, few studies discussed their perceptions of surrounding inequalities. This paper revealed that, while most migrant children were aware of various social inequalities, a very few present the intention of pursuing social justice through transformative actions in the future. Finding reveals the significant role of the migrant community and of education activists’ using open dialogues in class playing in fostering migrant children’s awareness and understanding of inequalities; however, there were challenges for fostering such transformative resistance in the schooling.

Author

• Jiaxin Chen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University